Upper Kula residents urged to boil water following pipe break

The Maui County Department of Water Supply is advising Upper Kula residents and businesses to boil water before drinking it, following a break in a water line last night.

The advisory is for the area from Waiakoa Road to Kanaio. The affected area includes Alae, Naalae Road, Waipoli, Polipoli, Waiohuli, Keokea, Ulupalakua and Kanaio.

During heavy rains last night, about 60 feet of 8-inch waterline washed out near Kawehi Place in Kula. The broken waterline may have compromised the water quality in the water system. Until water service is restored and laboratory staff can collect samples to ensure the safety of the water, customers should boil water before consumption.

In addition, customers are without water or have very low water pressure on Kawehi Place, Oluolu Place, parts of Koheo Road, Pilikino Place, and Polipoli Road to the intersection at Middle Road. Department of Water Supply personnel are working on the repair and water service should be restored by 6 p.m. today.

Customers from Waiakoa to Kanaio should not drink the water from the tap before boiling it first. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms.

Portable water tankers were stationed near Ching Store, and the other is on Middle Road below the DWS Waiohuli Tank.

For more information, call Jacky Takakura at 270-8046 during business hours. The DWS 24-hour service line is also available at 270-7633 for water service problems.